The Brazilian Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina aguti), is one of the free roaming creatures that you will catch a glimpse of when Moody Gardens’ Rainforest Pyramid® exhibit reopens in May 2011!

This relative of the guinea pig is found in the rainforests of Brazil and it is the only mammal that is known to crack a Brazil nut with its teeth. Brazil nuts, fruits, vegetables and greens are the typical food staples for the Agouti.

The Agouti is a member of the rodent family, but unlike most rodents it walks on its toes and not flat footed. It can also jump up to six feet in the air from a standing position. Talk about air time!

In the Amazon rainforest the Agouti is the only species responsible for reseeding the forest with Brazil nuts, which ensures the growth of a whole new generation of trees. They do this by hiding seeds in various locations around their territory.

In the wild, Agoutis are very shy and nervous animals that often live in burrows or hollowed out tree trunks to avoid predators. They survive through their keen sense of hearing and it’s said they can even hear fruit hitting the rainforest floor!

The Agouti is fairly social within their species. They often live and travel in small family groups and even pairs during mating season.

Check out our video featuring our new Agouti here!

Moody Gardens is thrilled to have these playful and interesting birds free-roaming inside the Rainforest Pyramid when Rainforests of the World opens in May 2011. Check out the video and read the fun facts to learn more about this amazing species!

Click here to watch the Lady Ross’ Turaco Video!

Fun Facts:

Turacos are a food source for many animals larger than themselves. They are so abundant in Africa that they are considered a pest. Their feeding habits are very destructive, which annoys most gardeners. However, they aid in seed dispersal by messily eating fruit. They also eat berries that are considered highly poisonous to humans.

Turacos are the only birds to possess true red and green color. When you look at most birds, the color you are seeing is a reflection produced by the feather structure. The turaco’s red and green pigment both contain copper. In fact, if you stirred a glass of water with a red turaco feather, the water would turn pink!

Both the male and female share time incubating their clutch. Both parents also feed the downy chicks by regurgitation. They keep the nest clean by eating the eggshells and the chick’s droppings. The chicks will not develop the full adult coloration until about one year

Lady Ross’s turacos are very social birds, moving in small noisy flocks. They spend their life among trees in search of fruit until evening when they nest solitary on a platform of twigs.

These birds have mobile outer toes, which they are able to rotate forward or backward!

Moody Gardens welcomes home a group of very special birds. The scarlet ibis have returned to Moody Gardens! This eye-catching species will be free roaming inside the Rainforest Pyramid when the newly enhanced Rainforests of the World Exhibit opens in May 2011.

The Scarlet Ibis is one of the most striking sights in the world of birds– flying, feeding and nesting in large groups. The unique bright red color of the Scarlet Ibis intensifies as the bird grows older. The long curved beak is used to probe for food in mud and shallow water.  It flies strongly with its neck extended, almost as if gliding.

Trivia:

Q: Where does the scarlet ibis get its vibrant color?

A: Watch our newest video to find out!

Moody Gardens takes you behind the scenes with Cooper, the Moody Gardens ocelot.

Cooper is one of the newest members of the Moody Gardens family. He will be joining his rainforest friends when Rainforests of the World opens in May 2011. Moody Garden’s biologists work closely with Cooper to teach him behaviors that are vital to his care.

Check out the video to learn more about Cooper, the coolest ocelot!

Did you know that Ocelots are endangered?
The ocelot is listed as endangered by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services (USFWS). Once abundant in many areas throughout the southwest United States and Mexico, today the animal has almost disappeared. It is estimated that as few as 120 ocelots survive in Texas alone. In Central and South America, the ocelot is still hunted for its fur and captured for the pet trade.

Fun Fact:

Cooper LOVES cinnamon and peppermint! Trainers use these spices as a form of enrichment when working with this amazing animal.